Ant-Eater, a toothless animal found in Central and South America feeding on white ants and other insects. The long, flexible tongue, covered with sticky saliva, is protruded among the insects and suddenly withdrawn when a number have collected upon it. There are a number of forms. The great ant-eater is about four feet long with a large tail covered with bushy hair. The color is gray, marked by a band of black on the breast and toward the shoulders; the feet and forelegs are white. The claws are long and strong, adapted for digging. It sleeps a great deal, and lies curled up with its tail spread out to protect it from sun and rain. In defending itself, it makes good use of its strong forearms.
